causes of corruption of traditional text

8/2/2019 Causes of Corruption of Traditional Text

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A Book By Dean Burgon

The Causes of t he Corrupt ionThe Causes of t he Corrupt ion

o f t he Trad i t iona l Tex t o f t he Trad i t iona l Tex t 18961896

By Dean J ohn Wi l l iam BurgonBy Dean J ohn Wi l l iam Burgon

Edi t ed by Edw ard Mi l le rEd i t ed by Edw ard Mi l le r

A B rie f Sum m ary by Rev.D. A. Wait e, Th.D., Ph.D.A B r ie f Sum m ary by Rev.D. A. Wait e, Th.D., Ph.D.


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The Trad i t iona l Tex t Goes

Bac k t o t he Ear l i es t Ages

In the c ompan ion vo lum e to t h i s , t heIn the c ompan ion vo lum e to t h i s , t he Trad i t i ona l T rad i t i ona l T e x t T e x t , t ha t i s , t he Tex t o f the Gospels w h ich i s t he, t ha t i s , t he Tex t o f the Gospels w h ich i s t he

resu l tan t o f a l l the ev idence fa i th fu l l y andresu l tan t o f a l l the ev idence fa i th fu l l y andexhaus t i ve ly p resen ted and es t ima ted acco rd ingexhaus t i ve ly p resen ted and es t ima ted acco rd ingto the bes t p rocedure o f the cou r ts o f l aw,to the bes t p rocedure o f the cou r ts o f l aw, hashasbeen t raced back to the ea r l i es t ages in the

been t raced back to the ea r l i es t ages in theex i s tence o f t hose sac red wr i t i ngs

ex is tence o f those sac red wr i t i ngs . . . .. . . . i t musti t m u s t ,,

as fa r as w e can judge ,as fa r as w e c an judge , d i f fe r bu t s l i ght l y f rom t he

d i f fe r bu t s l i gh t l y f rom t heTex t now genera l l y in vogue , wh ich has been

Tex t now genera l l y in vogue , wh ich has beengenera l l y rec e ived du r ing t he las t t w o and a ha lf

genera l ly rece ived du ring the las t t w o and a ha lfcen tu r i escen tu r i es .. [Dean John Wi l l iam Burgon,[Dean John Wi l l iam Burgon, Th eTheCauses o f the Cor rup t ion o f t he T rad i t i ona l Tex t Causes o f the Corrup t ion o f t he T rad i t i ona l Tex t ,,p. 1]p. 1]


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The Tradi t ional Tex t GoesBac k To t he Or ig inal

Autographs

Tha t Tex t c an be T rad it i ona l on ly i f i t goes bac k w i thou t

Tha t Tex t c an be T rad it i ona l on ly i f i t goes bac k w i thou tb reak o r i n te rm iss ion to t he o r i g i na l au tog raphs

break o r i n te rm iss ion to t he o r i g i na l au tog raphs ,,because i f t h rough b reak o r i n te rm iss ion i t ceased o rbecause i f t h rough b reak o r i n te rm iss ion i t ceased o r

fa i led to ex is t , i t l oses the essent ia l fea ture o f genu inefa i led to ex is t , i t l oses the essent ia l fea ture o f genu inet rad i t i on . On t he o ther hand, i f i t i s p roved t o reac ht rad i t i on . On t he o t her hand, i f i t i s p roved t o reac hback i n unbroken l i ne to t he t im e o f t he Evange li s t s , o rback i n unbrok en l i ne to t he t ime o f t he Evangel i s t s , o rto a pe r i od as near t o t hem as su rv i v i ng tes t imony canto a pe r i od as near t o t hem as su rv i v i ng tes t imony canprove, the n Dr .prove, th en Dr . Hor tHor t ss t heory o f at heory o f a Syr ianSyr ian t ex t f o rm ed byt ex t f o rm ed byrecens ion o r o the rw ise j us t as ev iden t l y f a l l s t o t herecens ion o r o the rw ise j us t as ev iden t l y f a l l s t o t he

gro und . . . .ground. . . . I c la im t o have pro ved

I c la im t o have proved Dr . Hor t t o have beenDr. Hor t t o have beenconsp i cuous l y w rong andconsp i cuous l y w rong and ou r ma in tenance o f t heour ma in tenance o f t heTrad it i ona l Tex t i n unbroken succ ess ion to be em inen t l y

Trad it i ona l Tex t i n unbroken succ ess ion to be em inen t l yr igh t

r i gh t .. [Dean Burgon,[Dean Burgon, The Causes of the Corrupt ion of The Causes of the Corrupt ion of t he T rad i t i ona l Tex t t he T rad i t i ona l Tex t , p. 3], p. 3]


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Corrupt ion Also Goes

Bac k t o t he Ear l ies t Age

I t seem s t ha t c or rup t ion arose in

I t seem s t ha t c or rup t ion arose in

the very ear l ies t age

the very ear l iest age. . . . Thus i t. . . . Thus itappears t ha t e r rors c rept in at t heappears t ha t e r rors c rept in at t hevery f i r s t commencement o f thevery f i r s t commencement o f the

l i fe o f t he Churc h.l i fe o f t he Churc h.

[Dean Burgon,[Dean Burgon,The Causes of the Corrupt ion of The Causes of the Corrupt ion of t he Tradi t ional Tex t t he Trad it ional Tex t , pp . 3-4], pp . 3-4]


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Corrup t ion of God s

Words Is L ik e an Ogre

Indeed, the vast and myster ious ogre

Indeed, the vast and myster ious ogreca l led corrupt ion assumes shape and

ca l led corrupt ion assumes shape and

form under the ac u te penet ra t ion and t he

fo rm under the acute penetra t ion and thedef t handl ing of the Dean

def t handl ing of the Dean, whose great, whose greatknowledge o f the sub jec t and o rder lyknowledge o f the sub ject and order lyt reatment o f puzz l ing deta i ls is s t i l l moret reatment o f puzz l ing deta i ls is s t i l l more

commended by h is in terest ing s ty le o fcommended by h is in terest ing s ty le o fwr i t i ng .wr i t i ng . [Dean Burgon,[Dean Burgon, The Causes of The Causes of the Cor rupt ion o f the Trad i t iona l Text the Cor rupt ion o f the Trad i t iona l Text , p., p.9 ]9]


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The Rec eived Tex t

Should Be Lef t A lone

Yie ld ing to no one inYie ld ing to no one in my des i re to

my des i re to

see the Greek o f the Newsee the Greek o f the NewTestament jud ic ious ly rev ised

Testament jud ic ious ly rev ised, I, If ree ly avow t ha t rec en t event s havef ree ly avow t ha t rec en t event s haveconv inced me, and I suppose theyconv inced me, and I suppose they

have c onv inc ed t he pub li c a lso , t ha thave c onv inced t he publ ic a lso, t hatwe have no t among us the men to

we have no t among us the men toc onduc t suc h an under tak ing

c onduc t suc h an under tak ing ..


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The Rec eived Tex t

Should Be Lef t A lone

Bet te r a thousand t imes i n my j udgmen t t oBe t te r a t housand t imes i n my j udgmen t t oleave th ings as they a re , than to r i sk hav ingleave th ings as they a re , than to r i sk hav ingthe s tamp o f au tho r i t y se t upon such anthe s tamp o f au tho r i t y se t upon such anun fo r tuna te p roduc t i on as tha t wh ichun fo r tuna te p roduc t i on as tha t wh ichappeared on the 17th May, 1881appeared on the 17 th May , 1881 , and wh ich, and wh ichc la ims a t t h i s i ns tan t t o rep resen t t hec la ims a t t h i s i ns tan t t o rep resen t t he

con t inued lea rn ing o f the Church , the ch ie fcon t inued lea rn ing o f the Church , the ch ie fSects , and theSects , and the Soc in ianSoc in ian body.body. [Dean[DeanBurgon,Burgon, The Causes o f the Cor rup t ion o f the The Causes o f the Cor rup t ion o f the T rad it i ona l Tex t T radi t i ona l Tex t , pp . 10 -11 ], pp . 10 -11 ]


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The New Test am ent Has More

Copies t han Sec ular Work s

In the f i r s t p lace , then , le t i t be observedIn the f i r s t p lace , then , le t i t be observedtha ttha t t he New Tes tamen t Sc r i p tu res a rethe New Tes tamen t Sc r i p tu res a re

w ho l ly w i t hou t a para l le l i n respec t o f t he i rw ho l ly w i thou t a para lle l i n respec t o f t he i rhav ing been so f requen t l y mu l t i p l i ed f romhav ing been so f requen t l y mu l t i p l i ed f romthe very f i r s t . . . exceed ing the number o fthe very f i r s t . . . exceed ing the number o ffour t housand. [now over 5 ,255four t housand. [now over 5 ,255+]+] There isThere isno th ing l i ke th i sno th ing l i ke t h i s , o r a t al l approach ing t o, o r a t a l l approach ing t oi t ,i t , i n the case o f any p ro fane wr i t i ng tha tin the case o f any p ro fane wr i t i ng tha tc an be namedc an be named .. [Dean Burgo n,[Dean Burg on, The CausesThe Causeso f t he Cor rup t ion o f the T rad i t i ona l Tex t o f t he Cor rup t ion o f the T rad i t i ona l Tex t , p ., p .12 ]12]


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The Sc r ipt ures Were Eager ly

Sought by Heret ic a l Teac hers

But t hen fu r ther ,But then fur ther , the Scr ip turesthe Scr ip tures for thefor thevery reason because they were knownvery reason because they were known

to be the Word of Godto be the Word o f God became a markbecame a markfor the shaf ts o f Satan f rom thefor the shaf ts o f Satan f rom thebeginningbeginning.. They w ereThey were by consequenceby consequenceasas eager ly so l ic i ted by heret ica leager ly so l ic i ted by heret ica l

teacherst eachers on t he one hand, as they w ereon t he one hand, as t hey w erelo f t i l y defended by the or thodox on thelo f t i l y defended by the or thodox on theo ther .o ther . [Dean Burgon,[Dean Burgon, The Causes of The Causes of t he Cor rupt ion o f the Trad i t iona l Tex t t he Cor rupt ion o f the Trad i t iona l Tex t , p ., p .12]12]


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Sat an Used Many Met hods

t o Corrupt Gods Word s

Never the less ,Never the less , ce r ta in manuscr ip tsce r ta in manusc r ip t sbe long ing in a few sm a l l g roupsbe long ing in a few sm a l l g roupspar t i cu la rpa r t i cu la r

cop ies o f a Vers ioncop ies o f a Vers ion

i nd iv idua l Fa thers orind iv idua l Fa thers orDoc to rs o f the Church ,Doc to rs o f the Church ,these do , to thethese do , to thepresen t hour ,p resen t hour , bear t races incon tes tab ly o fbear t races incon tes tab ly o fanc ien t m isc h iefanc ien t m isc h ie f . . . .. . . . The four fo l d s t ruc t ureThe four fold s t ruc t u re

o f the Gospe l has len t i t se l f to a ce r ta ino f the Gospe l has len t i t se l f to a ce r ta ink ind o f l i cen t ious hand l ingk ind o f l i cen t ious hand l ingo f w h i ch i no f w h i ch i no the r anc ien t w r i t i ngs we have noo the r anc ien t w r i t i ngs we have noexper ienceexper ience ..


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Sat an Used Many Met hods t o

Corrupt Gods Words

(1) One cr i t ica l owner of a Codex(1) One cr i t ica l owner of a Codexcons idered h imsel f a t l iber ty tocons idered h imsel f a t l iber ty toass imi la te the nar ra t ives : (2) another toass imi la te the nar ra t ives : (2) another tocor rec t t hem in o rder to b r ing them in tocor rec t t hem in o rder to b r ing them in to(what seemed to h imse l f ) g rea ter(what seemed to h imse l f ) g rea terharmony. (3) Brev i ty is found to haveharmony. (3) Brev i ty is found to havebeen a paramount ob jec t w i th some, andbeen a paramount ob jec t w i th som e, and(4) Transpos i t ion to have amounted to a(4) Transpos i t ion to have amounted to apassion w i t h ot hers.passion w i t h ot hers.


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Sat an Used Many Met hods t o

Corrupt Gods Words

(5) Conjec tura l Cr i t i c ism was ev ident ly(5) Conjec tura l Cr i t i c ism was ev ident lyprac t i sedprac t i sed la rge ly : and a lmos t w i th aslarge ly : and a lmost w i th as

l i t t l e fe l i c i t y as when Bent ley he ld thel i t t l e fe l i c i t y as when Bent ley he ld thepen. (6) Last ly,pen. (6) Last ly , there can be no quest ionthere can be no quest iont ha t t here w as a c er ta in sc hool o f Cr i t i c st ha t t here w as a cer t a in schoo l of Cr i t i c swho cons idered themse lves competentwho cons idered themse lves competent

to improve the s ty le of the HOLY GHOSTto improve the s ty le of the HOLY GHOSTthroughoutth roughout .. [Dean Burgon,[Dean Burgon, The CausesThe Causeso f the Cor rupt ion o f the Trad i t iona l Tex t o f the Cor rupt ion o f the Trad i t iona l Tex t ,,p. 13]p. 13 ]


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The Quant i t y of Depravat ionsSurpasses Any of Sec ular

L i te ra ture

And sure ly by th is t ime enough hasAnd sure ly by th is t ime enough hasbeen saidbeen sa id to exp la in why theseto exp la in why theseScr ip tures should have been made aScr ip tures should have been made abat t le f ie ld dur ing some centur ies , andbat t le f ie ld dur ing some centur ies , andespec ia l ly in t he four th ; and hav ing t husespec ia l ly in t he four t h ; and hav ing t hus

been made the sub jec t o f s t renuousbeen made the sub jec t o f s t renuouscontent ion , tha t cop ies o f them shou ldcontent ion , tha t cop ies o f them shou ldexh ib i t to th is hour t races o f thoseexh ib i t to th is hour t races o f thosem any adverse in fluencesm any adverse in f luenc es..


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The Quant i t y of Depravat ionsSurpasses Any of Sec ular

L i te ra ture

I say i t fo r the las t t ime,I say i t fo r the las t t ime,of a l l suchof a l l suchcauses o f depravat ion the Greek Poets ,causes o f depravat ion the Greek Poets ,

Tragedians, Phi losophers, Histor ians,Tragedians, Phi losophers, Histor ians,ne i the r knew nor cou ld know any th ingne i the r knew nor cou ld know any th ing ..And i t thus p la in ly appears thatAnd i t thus p la in ly appears that thet heTex t ua l Cr i t i c i sm o f t he New Test amentTex t ua l Cr i t i c i sm o f t he New Test ament

is to be handled by ourselves in anis to be handled by ourselves in anent i re ly d i f fe ren t sp i r i t f rom tha t o f anyent i re ly d i f fe ren t sp i r i t f rom tha t o f anyot her booko ther book .. [Dean Burgon,[Dean Burgon, The CausesThe Causeso f the Cor rupt ion o f t he Trad i t iona l Tex t o f the Cor rupt ion o f t he Tradi t iona l Tex t ,,p. 14]p. 14 ]


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Codex es Suc h as A, B, L, and

D Have Spec ia l Depravat ions

But increased and en largedBut increased and en largedacqua in tance w i th the sub jec t haveacqua in tance w i th the sub jec t have

conv inced me tha tconv inced me tha t by fa r the la rgerby far the largernumber o f the omiss ions o f suchnumber o f the omiss ions o f suchCodexes as A/B/L/D must needs be dueCodexes as A/B/L/D must needs be dueto qu i te a d i f fe ren t causeto qu i te a d i f fe ren t cause.. These MSSThese MSS

omi t so many words , phrases ,omi t so many words , phrases ,sentences, verses of Scr ip ture,sentences, verses of Scr ip ture, t ha t i tt ha t i ti s a l together inc red ib le tha t theis a l together inc red ib le tha t theprox imi t y o f l i ke end ings can have m uchprox imi t y o f l i ke end ings can have m uchto do w i t h t he ma t t e rt o do w i t h t he ma t te r ..


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Codex es Suc h as A, B, L, and

D Have Spec ia l Depravat ions

I nadver tency may be made to bear theInadver tency may be made to bear theb lame o f som e om iss ions: i t c anno t bearb lame o f som e om iss ions : i t c anno t bear

the b lame o f sh rewd and s ign i f i can tthe b lame o f sh rewd and s ign i f i can tomiss ions o f c lauses , wh ich invar iab lyomiss ions o f c lauses , wh ich invar iab lyleave t he sense c om p let e . A syst em at i cleave t he sense c om p le te . A sys tem at i cand perpe tua l mut i la t ion o f the insp i redand perpe tua l mut i la t ion o f the insp i red

Tex t m us t needs be t he resu lt o f des ign,Tex t m us t needs be t he resu l t o f des ign ,no t o f acc iden tno t o f acc i den t .. [Dean Burgon,[Dean Burgon, TheTheCauses o f the Cor rupt ion o f the Causes o f the Cor rupt ion o f the T radi t i onal Tex t T radi t i onal Tex t , p. 23 ], p. 23 ]


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Def ini t ions o f Ac c ident a l

Corrupt ions3.3. From the Wri t ing of Unc ia lsFrom t he Wri t ing of Unc ia ls (pp. 42-55)(pp. 42 -55)

The unc ia ls were wr i t ten comple te ly in cap i ta l GreekThe unc ia ls were wr i t ten comple te ly in cap i ta l Greek

le t te rs .le t t e rs . There w as no spac ing betw een w ordsThere w as no spac ing betw een w ords. There. Therew ere no acc en ts over the Greek w ords . There w as now ere no acc en ts over t he Greek w ords . There w as nopunct uat ion . There w ere no d iv is ions in t he t ext t ha tpunct uat ion . There w ere no d iv is ions in t he t ext t ha tw ou ld ind ica t e verses, c hapters , o r o ther th ings. I f t hew ould ind ica t e verses, c hapters , o r o ther th ings. I f t hescr ibe were not thorough ly fami l ia r w i th the Greekscr ibe were not thorough ly fami l ia r w i th the Greek

language, i t wou ld be poss ib le fo r h im to mis take onelanguage, i t wou ld be poss ib le fo r h im to mis take oneword for another by d iv id ing the le t te rs d i f fe rent ly .word fo r another by d iv id ing the le t te rs d i f fe rent ly .Here is how the unc ia ls w ou ld look i f w r i t t en in Eng lish:Here is how the unc ia ls w ou ld look i f w r i t t en in Eng lish:

THISISANEXAMPLEOFUNCIALLETTERSWITHNOSPACINTHISISANEXAMPLEOFUNCIALLETTERSWITHNOSPACINGBETWEEN.GBETWEEN.


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Corrupt ions

4.4 . I tac ismIt ac ism (pp. 56-66)(pp. 56-66)

Th is c lass i f i c a t ion o f ac c ident a lTh is c lass i f i c a t ion o f ac c ident a lcor rupt ion might be def ined ascor rupt ion might be def ined ast he mis t ak ing by a sc r ibe o f onet he mis t ak ing by a sc r ibe o f one

vowel fo r another .vow e l for anot her . I t w as aI t w as am isspel l ing o f var ious w ords bym isspel l ing o f var ious w ords byt he use of t he w rong vow e lst he use o f t he w rong vow e ls ..


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Corrupt ions5.5 . L i t u rg ica l In f luenc eL i tu rg ica l In fluenc eThe Lect ionar iesThe Lec t ionar i es (pp. 67-88)(pp. 67-88)

Th is k ind o f acc iden ta l co r rup t ion dea ls w i th theTh is k ind o f acc iden ta l co r rup t ion dea ls w i th the

l i t u rg ica l pract ic e o f t he Greek churc hes. They used inl i t u rg ica l p ract ic e o f t he Greek churc hes. They used inthe i r churchesthe i r churches Lect ionar ies .Lect ionar ies . These are por t ions ofThese are por t ions ofthe Greek New Testament wh ich were read in thethe Greek New Testament wh ich were read in thechurches dur ing cer ta in t imes in the Church year .churches dur ing cer ta in t imes in the Church year .There are over 2,143 Lect ionar ies that have beenThere are over 2,143 Lect ionar ies that have been

preserved for us t oday. They are very im port antpreserved for us t oday. They are very im port antsources for ver i f ica t ion o f t rue textua l read ings.sources for ver i f ica t ion o f t rue t ext ua l read ings. OnOnrare oc c as ions, acc iden ta l c o r rup t ion migh t have t akenrare occ as ions, acc identa l cor rupt ion might have tak enp lace in the copy ing o f these New Testament Greekp lace in the copy ing o f these New Testament Greekverses for Lect ionary purposesverses for Lect ionary purposes..


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God Used Lec t ionar ies

t o Preserve His WordsThere i s one d is t inc t c lass o f ev idenceThere i s one d is t inc t c lass o f ev idenceprov ided by A lmighty GOD for theprov ided by A lmighty GOD for the

conserva t ion o f the depos i t i n i t s i n tegr i t yconserva t ion o f the depos i t i n i t s i n tegr i t y ,,wh ich ca l l s f o r spec ia l no t i ce i n t h i s p lace .wh ich ca l l s f o r spec ia l no t i ce i n t h i s p lace .The Lec t ionar ies o f the anc ien t Church haveThe Lec t ionar ies o f the anc ien t Church haveno t ye t nea r l y en joyed the a t ten t i on theyno t ye t nea r l y en joyed the a t ten t i on theydeservedeserve , o r the labor ious s tudy wh ich in, o r the labor ious s tudy wh ich in

o rder to render them prac t i ca l l y ava i lab leorder to render them prac t i ca l l y ava i lab lethey abso lu te ly requ i re .they abso lu te ly requ i re . [Dean Burgon,[Dean Burgon, TheTheCauses o f the Cor rup t ion o f the Trad i t iona l Causes o f the Cor rup t ion o f the Trad i t iona l Tex t Tex t , p. 67 ], p. 67 ]


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Lec t ionar ies Range for

Over 700 Years

As fo r the ex te rna l appearance o fAs fo r the ex te rna l appearance o fthese documents , i t may be enough tothese documents , i t may be enough tosay tha tsay tha t they range , l i ke the mass o fthey range , l i ke the mass o func ia l and curs ive c op ies, over a spac eunc ia l and curs ive c op ies , over a spac eof about 700 years , - - the o ldest ex tanto f about 700 years , - - the o ldest ex tant

be ing o f about the e igh th cen tury , andbe ing o f about the e igh th cen tury , andthe l a tes t da t i ng i n t he f i f t een ththe l a tes t da t i ng i n t he f i f t een th ..[Dean Burgon,[Dean Burgon, The Causes o f the The Causes o f the Cor rup t ion o f t he T rad it i ona l Tex t Cor rup t ion o f t he T rad it i ona l Tex t , p. 68 ], p. 68 ]


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Def in i t ions and Com m ent s

on In t en t iona l Cor rup t ions

1.1. Harmonis t ic In f luenc eHarm onis t ic In f luenc e (pp. 89-99)(pp. 89 -99 )

This cause of cor rupt ion s tems f romThis cause o f cor rup t ion s tems f rom thet hedes i re o f var ious sc r ibes and edi t ors o f t hedes i re o f var ious sc r ibes and ed i t ors o f t heNew Testament to br ing the four GospelsNew Testament to br ing the four Gospelsin to a harmon ist i c un itin to a harm on is t i c uni t . They w ou ld t ry t o. They w ould t ry t o

take f rom one Gospel and p lace thattake f rom one Gospel and p lace thatpor t ion in to another Gospel .por t ion in t o anot her Gospel . The resul tThe resul twas a con fus ionwas a confus ion o f the or ig ina l Gospelsof the or ig inal Gospelsthemselves .themselves .


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Def ini t ions and Com m ent s

on In t ent iona l Corrupt ions2.2 . Ass imi la t ionAss im i la t ion (pp. 100-122)(pp . 100 -122)

Th is cause o f co r rup t ion , l i ke harmon is t i cTh is cause o f co r rup t ion , l i ke harmon is t i c

in f luenc e above, a lsoin f luenc e above, a lso arose f rom t he f requentarose from t he f requentpara l le lspara l le l s tha t a re seen espec ia l l y be tweentha t a re seen espec ia l l y be tweenthe Synop t i c Gospe ls o f Mat thew, Mark , andthe Synop t i c Gospe ls o f Mat thew, Mark , andLuke . Som e sc r ibes and ed i to rs ass im i la t edLuke . Som e sc r ibes and ed i to rs ass im i la t edpar t s o f one Gospe l in to anot her , t huspar t s o f one Gospe l in t o anot her , t hus m ak ingmak ing

for confus ion as to the or ig ina l read ings o ffo r confus ion as to the or ig ina l read ings o feach Gospe leach Gospe l .. Dean Burgon nam es sevenDean Burgon names sevenCr i t i csCr i t i cs who a re gu i l t y o f f o l l ow ing suchwho a re gu i l t y o f f o l l ow ing suchc or rupt ing in f luenc esc or rupt ing in f luenc es ..


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on In t ent ional Corrupt ions2.2. Ass imi la t ionAssim i lat ion (pp. 100-122)(pp. 100 -122 )

Ins t ruc t i ve in the meant ime i t i s to no te theIns t ruc t i ve in the meant ime i t i s to no te the

fa te wh ich th is word has exper ienced a t thefa te wh ich th i s word has exper ienced a t t hehands o f some Cr i t i cs .hands o f some Cr i t i c s . Lachm annLachmann,,T ischendor fT ischendor f ,, Tregel lesTregel les, A l ford, Westcot t and, A l ford, Westcot t andHor t , have a l l in t u rn bow ed to t he aut hor i ty o fHor t , have a l l in t u rn bow ed to t he aut hor i ty o f

Cod. B andCod. B and OrigenOr igen. B ishop L ight foot. B ishop L ight footmis t rans la tes and con tends on the samemis t rans la tes and con tends on the samesides ide.. [Dean Burgon,[Dean Burgon, The Causes of theThe Causes of theCorrupt ion o f the Trad i t iona l Tex t Corrupt ion o f t he Trad it iona l Tex t , p. 109 ], p. 109 ]


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on In t ent ional Corrupt ions4.4. OmissionOm ission (pp. 128-156)(pp . 128-156)

The c ause of omiss ion, ac c ord ing t o DeanThe c ause of omiss ion, ac c ord ing to Dean

Burgon, isBurgon, is the largest o f a l l c lasses o fthe largest o f a l l c lasses o fcor rup t var ia t ions f rom the genu ine Tex t ,cor rup t var ia t ions f rom the genu ine Tex t ,the omiss ion o f words and c lauses andthe omiss ion o f words and c lauses andsentencessentences, . . ., . . . Omissions are much inOmiss ions are much infavourfavour w i th a par t i cu la r sc hoo l o f c r i t i csw i th a part i cu lar school o f c r i t i cs ; .; .. .. . [Dean Burgon,[Dean Burgon, The Causes of theThe Causes of theCor rupt ion o f t he Tradi t iona l Tex t Cor rupt ion o f t he Tradi t iona l Tex t , p. 128], p. 128 ]


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on In t ent ional Corrupt ions4.4. Omiss ionOm issi on (pp. 128-156)(pp. 128-156)

a .a. Om iss ions Are Found in Very FewOmiss ions Are Found in Very Few

CopiesCopiesAnd i t w i l l be borne in m ind tha t I speakAnd i t w i l l be borne in m ind tha t I speaknow o f t hose words a lone wherenow o f t hose words a lone where the wordst h e w o rd sare observed to ex is t in n ine ty -n ine MSS.are observed to ex is t in n ine ty -n ine MSS.

ou t o f a hundred , so to speak ;ou t o f a hundred , so to speak ;

be ing awaybe ing awayon ly f r om tha t hund red th copyon ly f r om tha t hund red th copy .. [Dean[DeanBurgon,Burgon, The Causes o f t he Cor rup t ion o f t he The Causes o f t he Cor rup t ion o f t he T radi t i ona l Tex t T radi t i ona l Tex t , p . 128 ], p. 128 ]


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on In t ent ional Corrupt ions4.4. Omiss ionOm issi on (pp. 128-156)(pp . 128-156)

b .b. Mark 16:9-20 Is a Pr ime Example o fMark 16:9-20 Is a Pr ime Example o f

Omiss ionOmiss ionAnd I w i l l beg in w i thAnd I w i l l beg in w i th a c ruc ia l casea c ruc ia l case;;the mostthe mostconsp icuous doubt less w i th in the who leconsp icuous doubt less w i th in the who lec ompass o f t he New Tes tam ent . I m eanc ompass o f t he New Tes tam ent . I m ean the lastt he lastt w elve verses o f St . Markt w elve verses o f St . Mark s Gospel ; w hic h versess Gospel ; w hic h verses

are e i ther brac k et ed of f , or e lse ent i re ly severedare e i ther brac k et ed of f , or e lse ent i re ly severedf rom the res t o f the Gospel , byf rom the res t o f the Gospel , by T ischendor fT ischendor f ,,Tregel lesTregel les, A l ford and ot hers, A l ford and ot hers.. [Dean Burgon ,[Dean Burgo n, TheTheCauses of the Corrupt ion of t he Tradi t ional Tex t Causes of the Corrupt ion of t he Tradi t ional Tex t ,,p. 129]p. 129 ]


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on In t ent ional Corrupt ions4.4. OmissionOm ission (pp. 128-156)(pp . 128-156)

c .c . Manuscr ip ts B (Vat ican) andManuscr ip ts B (Vat ican) and AA

(Aleph ) Abound in Om ission s(Aleph ) Abound in Om ission sTo th is quest ion there can be butTo th is quest ion there can be butoneansweroneansw er , v iz., viz. Because t hose c r i t i c s a reBec ause t hose c r i t i c s a reb l inded by inv inc ib le pre jud ice inb l inded by inv inc ib le pre judic e in favourfavour ofof

two unsafe guides, [B and A] and are nowtwo unsafe guides, [B and A] and are nowanx ious to learn what there can be inanx ious to learn what there can be inomiss ions wh ich render them soomiss ions wh ich render them soac c eptab le to m inds o f t he present dayacc eptab le to m inds o f t he present day ..


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d .d. Many False Readi ngs Died Out Speed i lyMany False Readi ngs Died Out Speed i ly

Now , as I am w r i t ing a book on t he princ ip les o fNow , as I am w r i t ing a book on the pr inc ip les ofTex tua l Cr i t i c ism,Tex tua l Cr i t i c ism, I mus t be a l lowed to se t myI mus t be a l lowed to se t myreader on h is guard agains t a l l such unsuppor tedreader on h is guard agains t a l l suc h unsupport edd ic ta as the preced ing , though enforced w i thd ic ta as the preced ing , though enforced w i th

emphas is and recommended by a deservedlyemphas is and recommended by a deservedlyrespected namerespec t ed name . I ven ture t o t h ink t ha t t he. I ven ture t o t h ink t ha t theexact reverse wi l l be found to be a vast dea lexact reverse wi l l be found to be a vast dea lnearer t he t rut h: v iz.nearer t he t rut h: v iz.


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d .d. Many False Readi ngs Died Out Speed i lyMany False Readi ngs Died Out Speed i ly

There has a lways in fac t been a process o fThere has a lways in fac t been a process o fe l iminat ion going on, as wel l as of se l f -e l iminat ion going on, as wel l as of se l f -p ropagat ion : a cor rec t ive fo rce a t work , as we l lp ropagat ion : a cor rec t ive fo rce a t work , as we l las one of deter iora t ion. How e lse are w e t oas one of deter iora t ion. How e lse are w e t oacc ount fo r the u t t e r d isappearance o f the manyacc ount fo r t he u t t e r d isappearance o f the m any

monst ra pot ius quam var iae lec t ionesmonst ra pot ius quam var iae lec t iones w h ic h t h ew h ic h t h eanc ients never the less ins is t were preva lent inanc ients never the less ins is t were preva lent inthe i r t imes?the i r t imes? [Dean Burgon,[Dean Burgon, The Causes of theThe Causes of theCorrupt ion of t he Tradi t ional Text Corrupt ion of t he Tradi t ional Text , p. 139 ], p. 139 ]


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on In t ent ional Corrupt ions4 .4. Omiss ionOm iss ion (pp. 128-156)(pp. 128 -156 )

e .e. B andB and AA Ex h ib i t Flagran t Er ro rsEx h ib i t Flagran t Er ro rs

And yet , i fAnd ye t , i f the d isc repancy be tween Codexes Bthe d isc repancy be tween Codexes Bandand AA and the g rea t bu lk o f the c op iesand t he great bul k o f t he cop ies i n t h i s p lacein th i s p lac e

d id no t o r ig ina te in the way ins is ted on by thed id no t o r ig ina te in the way ins is ted on by thec r i t i cs , how i s i t to be accoun ted fo r? . . .c r i t i cs , how i s i t to be accoun ted fo r? . . .Unbounded l i cense o f t ranscr ip t ion , f lag ran tUnbounded l i cense o f t ranscr ip t ion , f lag ran t

care lessness , a rb i t ra ry in te rpo la t ions , omiss ionscare lessness , a rb i t ra ry in te rpo la t ions , omiss ionsw i thou t number , d i s f igu re these two anc ien t MSSwi thou t number , d i s f igu re these two anc ien t MSSin every pagein every page . We se ldom t roub le ourse lves t o. We se ldom t roub le ourse lves t oinqui re in to t he h is to ry o f t he i r obl iqui t i es .inqu i re in to the h is to ry o f the i r ob l iqu i t ies . [Dean[DeanBurgon,Burgon, The Causes of the Corrupt ion of the Tradi t ional The Causes of the Corrupt ion of the Tradi t ional Tex t Text , pp. 140-141 ], pp. 140-141 ]


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on In t ent ional Corrupt ions5.5 . Transpos i t ionTranspos i t ion (pp. 157-163)(pp . 157-163)

Dean Burgon def ines t ransposi t ion as a cause ofDean Burgon def ines t ransposi t ion as a cause of

t ex t ua l cor rup t ion as fol low s :t ex t ua l c or rup t ion as fol low s :One of the most pro l i f ic sources of CorruptOne of the most pro l i f i c sources o f Cor ruptReadings isReadings is TRANSPOSITION, or the arbi t raryTRANSPOSITION, or the arbitraryinvers ion o f the order o f the sacred wordsinvers ion of the order of the sacred words, - -,--genera l ly in the subord inate c lauses of agenera l ly in the subord inate c lauses of a

sentence.sentenc e. The ex t en t t o w h ich th is p reva il s inThe ex ten t to wh ich th is p reva i l s inCodexes of the type of BCodexes of the type of BAACD passes bel iefCD passes bel ief ..[Dean Burgon,[Dean Burgon, The Causes of the Corrupt ion of The Causes of the Corrupt ion of t he Trad it iona l Text t he Trad i t iona l Text , p. 157 ], p. 157 ]


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on In t ent ional Corrupt ions5.5. Transposi t ionTranspos it ion (pp. 157-163)(pp. 157-163 )

He cont inues t h is thought by say ing:He cont inues th is thought by say ing:

I t i s no t mere ly the occas iona l wr i t ing o fI t i s no t mere ly the occas iona l wr i t ing o f t au ta tau ta forforpan ta tau ta pan ta tau ta ,--or,--or hoho laos houtoslaos houtos forfor houtoshou tos ho ho laoslaos, t o, t owhich a l lus ion is now made: fo r i f tha t were a l l , thewhich a l lus ion is now made: fo r i f tha t were a l l , thephenomenon would admi t o f loya l exp lanat ion andphenomenon would admi t o f loya l exp lanat ion andexcuse. Butexc use. Bu t w hat I speak o f i s a sys temat ic pu t t ing tow hat I speak o f is a sys temat ic pu t t ing towrong o f the insp i red words th roughout the ent i rewrong o f the insp i red words th roughout the ent i re

Codex; an opera t ion wh ich was ev ident ly regarded inCodex; an opera t ion wh ich was ev ident ly regarded incer ta in quar te rs as a lawfu l exerc ise o f c r i t i ca lce r ta in quar te rs as a lawfu l exerc ise o f c r i t i ca lingenu i tyingenu i ty ,,perhaps w as looked upon as an elegant ex pedient t operhaps w as looked upon as an elegant ex pedient t obe adopted for improv ing the s ty le o f the or ig ina l w i thoutbe adopted for improv ing the s ty le o f the or ig ina l w i thoutmater ia l ly in ter fer ing wi th the sense.mater ia l ly in ter fer ing wi th the sense. [Dean Burgon, The[Dean Burgon, TheCauses of the Corrupt ion of the Tradi t ional Text , p . 157]Causes of the Corrupt ion of the Tradi t ional Text , p . 157]


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on In t ent ional Corrupt ions

6.6 . Subst i tu t ionSubst i t u t ion (pp. 164-165)(pp . 164-165)

The cor rup t ion o f the Trad i t iona lThe cor rup t ion o f the Trad i t iona lTex t due to subs t i t u t i on occu rsTex t due to subs t i t u t i on occu rswhen a fa l se word i s subs t i tu tedwhen a fa l se word i s subs t i tu ted

fo r a t rue w ord. An ex am ple o f t h isfo r a t rue w ord. An ex am ple o f t h iswou ld the subs t i t u t i on o f t he wordwou ld the subs t i tu t ion o f the wordhoshos ((w how ho) for) for t heos theos ((GodGod) in 1) in 1T im ot hy 3 :16Tim ot hy 3:16..


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on In t ent ional Corrupt ions

7.7 . Add i t ionAddi t ion (pp. 166-171)(pp . 166-171)

The p rac t i ce o f add ing words o rThe p rac t i ce o f add ing words o rphrases t o t he Trad it i ona l Tex t byphrases t o t he Trad it i ona l Tex t byed i to rs compr ises the sma l les ted i to rs compr ises the sma l les t

number o f i ns tances when com-number o f i ns tances when com-pared to omiss ion , t ranspos i t ion ,pared to omiss ion , t ranspos i t ion ,o r subs t i t u t iono r subs t i t u t i on ..


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on In t ent ional Corrupt ions8.8. GlossesGlos ses (pp. 172-190 )(pp . 172-190)

Dean Burgon w ro te t h i s abou tDean Burgon w ro te t h i s abou t GlossesGlosses::

GlossesGlosses,, proper ly so ca l led , though theyproper ly so ca l led , though theyen joy a consp icuous p lace in everyen joy a consp icuous p lace in everyenumera t ion l i ke t he p resen t ,enumera t ion l i ke t he p resen t , a re p robab ly byare probab ly byno means so numerous as i s common lyno means so numerous as i s common ly

supposedsupposed .. [Dean Burgon,[Dean Burgon, The Causes o f t he The Causes o f t he Cor rupt ion o f t he T radi t i ona l Tex t Cor rup t ion o f t he T rad it i ona l Tex t , p . 172 ], p. 172 ]

He then de fi ned w ha t he c onsidered to f i t t heHe then de fi ned w ha t he c onsidered to f i t t het rue def in i t i on o f at rue def in i t i on o f a GlossGloss::


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on In t ent ional Corrupt ions9.9 . Cor rup t ion by Here t ic sCorrupt ion by Heret ic s (pp. 191-210)(pp . 191-210)

a .a . The Impor tance o f Cor rup t ion o f theThe Impor tance o f Cor rup t ion o f the

Tradi t i onal Tex t by Here t i c sTradi t i onal Tex t by Here t i c sThis took p lace pr ior to the re lease of h is book,Th is took p lace pr ior to the re lease of h is book,The King James Only Controversy.The King James Only Controversy. Dur ing th isDur ing th isdebate ,debate, Mr . Whi te den ied that heret ics hadMr. Whi te den ied that heret ics hadc orrupt ed t he Words of God. He w ould notc orrupt ed t he Words of God. He w ould not

rece ive any proof I gave to h im concern ing th isrece ive any proof I gave to h im concern ing th ismat ter , even though I l i s ted n ine or ten ear lymat ter , even though I l i s ted n ine or ten ear lyhere t ics who were gu i l t y o f do ing jus t tha there t ics who were gu i l t y o f do ing jus t tha t ..Because of th is , I have g iven many quotat ionsBecause of th is , I have g iven many quotat ionsf rom Dean Burgon on th is subjec t .f rom Dean Burgon on th is subjec t .


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on In t ent ional Corrupt ions9.9. Corrupt ion by Heret ic sCorrupt ion by Heret ic s (pp. 191-210)(pp. 191-210 )

b .b. Proofs of t he Corrupt ion ofProofs of t he Corrupt ion ofGodGod s Words by Heret ic ss Words by Heret ic s

(1)(1) Previous K inds of Corrupt ion WerePrevious K inds of Corrupt ion WereNot in Bad Fa i thNot in Bad Fa it h

The Corrupt ions o f the Sacred Text wh ich we haveThe Corrupt ions o f the Sacred Text wh ich we havebeen hi t her to c ons ider ingbeen h i ther t o c ons idering , how ever d iverse, t he c auses, how ever d iverse, t he causesf rom w hich t hey may have resu l ted , have yet a l l agreedf rom w hich t hey may have resu l ted , have yet a l l agreed

in th is : v iz . thatin th is : v iz . tha t they have a l l been o f a lawfu l na turethey have a l l been o f a lawfu l na ture ..My meaning is , tha t apparent ly ,My meaning is , tha t apparent ly , a t no s tage o f theat no s tage o f thebus iness has there beenbus iness has there been malamala f idesf ides in any quarterin any quar ter ..[Dean Burgon,[Dean Burgon, The Causes of the Corrupt ion of theThe Causes of the Corrupt ion of theTrad i t iona l Tex t Trad i t iona l Tex t , p. 191], p. 191 ]


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on In t ent ional Corrupt ions9 .9 . Cor rup t ion by Here t i c sCorrupt ion by Heret ic s (pp. 191-210)(pp. 19 1-21 0)

b .b. Proofs o f t he Corrupt ion ofProofs o f t he Cor rup t ion o fGodGod s Words by Here t i c ss Words by Here t i c s

(2)(2 ) There is a Large Assor tm ent o f Here t i c a lThere i s a La rge Assor tm en t o f Here t i c a lCorrupt ionCorrupt ion

They are in t ru t h so exc eed ing ly numerous; t hey are o f ten soThey are in t ru t h so exc eed ing ly numerous; t hey are o f ten sovery considerable; they are, as a ru le , so very l icent ious;very considerable; they are, as a ru le , so very l icent ious;t hey t ransgress to such an ex t ent a l l regula t ionst hey t ransgress to suc h an ex t ent a l l regu lat ions; t hey usurp; t hey usurpso pers is ten t ly the o f f i ce o f t ru th and fa i th fu lness, tha t weso pers is ten t ly the o f f i ce o f t ru th and fa i th fu lness, tha t wereal l y know no t w ha t to t h ink abou t them. Somet im es w e a rereal l y know no t w ha t to t h ink abou t them. Somet imes w e a represen ted w i thpresented wi th gross in terpolat ions,- -apocryphal s tor ies:gross in terpolat ions,- -apocryphal s tor ies:more o f ten w i th sys temat i c l ace ra t ion o f the tex t , o rmore o f ten w i th sys temat i c l ace ra t ion o f the tex t , o rt ransformat ions as f rom an ange l o f l igh tt ransformat ions as f rom an ange l o f l igh t .. [Dean Burgon,[Dean Burgon,The Causes of the Corrupt ion of the Tradi t ional Text The Causes o f the Cor rupt ion o f the Trad i t iona l Text , pp., pp.191-192]191-192]


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on In t ent ional Corrupt ions9.9. Corrupt ion by Heret ic sCorrupt ion by Heret ic s (pp. 191-210)(pp. 191-210 )

b .b. Proofs of t he Corrupt ion ofProofs of t he Corrupt ion ofGodGod s Words by Heret ic ss Words by Heret ic s

(3)(3) How d id th is happen?How d id th is happen?Quest ions that Demand Answ ersQuest ions that Dem and Answ ers

We are const ra ined to inqu i re , How a l l th is canWe are const ra ined to inqu i re , How a l l th is canposs ib ly have come about?possib ly have c om e about? Have t here even beenHave there even beenpersons who made i t the i r bus iness o f se t purpose topersons who made i t the i r bus iness o f se t purpose to

c orrupt t he [sac red depos i t o f Holy Sc r ip turec orrupt t he [sac red depos i t o f Holy Sc r ip ture ent rust edent rustedt o t he Church for t he perpetua l i l luminat ion o f a l l agest o t he Church for t he perpetua l i l lum inat ion o f a l l agest i l l the Lord shou ld com e?]t i l l the Lord should com e?] [Dean B urgon, The Causes[Dean B urgon, The Causesof the Corrupt ion o f the Trad i t iona l Text o f the Ho lyof the Corrupt ion o f the Trad i t iona l Text o f the Ho lyGospe ls , p . 192. The brac k et ed w ords w ere added byGospe ls , p . 192. The brac k et ed w ords w ere added byedi t or Mi l le r .]ed i t or Mi l le r .]


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on In t ent ional Corrupt ions9.9. Corrupt ion by Heret ic sCorrupt ion by Heret ic s (pp. 191-210)(pp. 191-210)

b.b. Proofs of the Corrupt ion of GodProofs of the Corrupt ion of Gods Words bys Words byHeret icsHeret ics

(4)(4) Heret ic al Corrupt ion Began From t he Very FirstHeret ic a l Corrupt ion Began From t he Very Fi rstAt th is s tage o f the inqu i ry , we are reminded that i t i s evenAt th is s tage o f the inqu i ry , we are reminded that i t i s evennotor ious that in the ear l iest age of a l l , the New Testamentnotor ious that in the ear l iest age of a l l , the New TestamentScr ip t ures w ere sub ject ed to such in f luences.Scr ip tures w ere sub ject ed to such inf luences. In t he age w hichIn the age w h ichimmedia te ly succeeded the Aposto l ic there were here t ica limmedia te ly succeeded the Aposto l ic there were here t ica lt eachers not a few , w ho f ind ing t he i r tenets re fu ted by the p laint eachers not a few , w ho f ind ing t he i r tenets re fut ed by the p lain

Word o f God bent t hemselves aga inst the w r i t t en Word w i th a l lWord o f God bent them selves aga inst t he w r i t t en Word w i th a l lt he i r pow er . From seek ing to evacuate i ts teach ing, i t w as butt he i r pow er . From seek ing to evacuate i ts teach ing, i t w as buta s ingle st ep t o seeking t o fa ls i fy i t s t est im ony. Profanea s ingle st ep t o seeking t o fa ls i fy i t s t est im ony. Profanel i te ra ture has never been exposed to such host i l i tyl i te ra ture has never been exposed to such host i l i ty .. [Dean[DeanBurgon,Burgon, The Causes of the Corrupt ion of t he Tradi t ional Text The Causes of the Corrupt ion of t he Tradi t ional Text , p ., p .192]192]


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on In t ent ional Corrupt ions(4)(4) Heret ic al Corrupt ion Began From t he Very FirstHeret ic a l Corrupt ion Began From t he Very Fi rst

(b)(b) Grievo us Wolves andGrievous Wolves and Nicola i t ansNicola i t ans WereWereMent ioned by t he Apost les Paul and JohnMent ioned by t he Apost les Paul and John

TheThe

gr ievous wolvesgr ievous wolves

whose assaul ts St. Paul predicted aswhose assaul ts St. Paul predicted asimminent , and aga inst wh ich he warned the heads o f theimminent , and aga inst wh ich he warned the heads o f the

Ephesian Church, [Acts 20:29] did not longEphesian Church, [Acts 20:29] did not long spare the f lockspare the f lock..Already, whi le St. John was yet a l ive, hadAlready, whi le St. John was yet a l ive, had thethe Nico la i tansNico la i tansdeveloped thei r t eaching at Ephesus [Revelat ion 2:6] and in thedeveloped thei r t eaching at Ephesus [Revelat ion 2:6] and in theneighbouringneighbour ing Church ofChurch of PergamusPergamus [Revelat ion 2:15[Revelat ion 2:15 ]. Our r isen]. Our r ise nLORD in g lory announced to His servant John that in the la t terLORD in g lory announced to His servant John that in the la t terc i t y Sat an had establ ished h is dw el l ing-p lace [Revelat ion 2:13].c i t y Sat an had establ ished h is dw el l ing-p lace [Revelat ion 2:13].Nay, w h i le those aw fu l w ords w ere being spoken t o the Seer o fNay, w h i le those aw fu l w ords w ere being spoken t o t he Seer o fPatmosPatmos,, the m en w ere al ready born w ho f i rs t dared to lay the i rt he men w ere al ready born w ho f i rs t dared to lay the i rimpious hands on the Gospel of CHRISTimpious hands on the Gospel of CHRIST.. [Dean Burgon,[Dean Burgon, TheTheCauses of the Corrupt ion of t he Tradi t ional Text Causes of the Corrupt ion of the Tradi t ional Text , p. 193 ], p. 193 ]


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on In t ent ional Corrupt ions(5)(5) D is turb ing In f luences Cont inued Af terD is tu rb ing In f luences Cont inued Af te rApos to l i c T imesApos to l i c T imes

No sooner do we f ind ourselves out ofNo sooner do we f ind ourselves out ofAposto l ic l ines and among monuments o f theAposto l ic l ines and among monuments o f thepr im i t i ve age tha t we are made aware tha tp rim i t i ve age tha t w e are made aw are tha t t het hesacred tex t mus t have been exposed a t tha tsacred tex t mus t have been exposed a t tha t

very ear ly per iod to d is turb ing in f luencesvery ear ly per iod to d is turb ing in f luenceswhich, on no ord inary pr inc ip les , can bewhich, on no ord inary pr inc ip les , can beexpla inedexpla ined.. [Dean Burgon,[Dean Burgon, The Causes of theThe Causes of theCorrupt ion of t he Tradi t ional Text Corrupt ion of t he Tradi t ional Text , p. 193 ], p. 193 ]


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on In t ent ional Corrupt ions(5 )(5) Disturb ing In f luences Cont inued Af ter Aposto l icDisturb ing In f luences Cont inued Af ter Aposto l icT imesT imes

(a)(a) System at ic Mut i la t ion Is Observed in B,System at ic Mut i la t ion Is Observed in B, AA , and D, and D

. . .. . . t he c opies Codex es B andt he copies Codexes B and AA: and above a l l , c om ing: and above a l l , c om inglater down st i l l , Cod. Dlater down st i l l , Cod. Dthese venerab le monuments o fthese venerab le monuments o fa p r imi t i ve age occas iona l ly p resen t us w i tha p r imi t i ve age occas iona l ly p resen t us w i thde fo rmi t ies wh ich i t i s worse than use less tode fo rmi t ies wh ich i t i s worse than use less toex tenua te ,ex tenua te ,qu i te imposs ib le to over look.qu i te im poss ib le t o over look . Unaut hor izedUnauthor ized

append ixes,append ixes,

tas te less and s tup id ampl i f ica t ions,taste less and s tup id ampl i f ica t ions,

plainplainpervers ions o f the meaning o f the Evange l is ts ,pervers ions o f the meaning o f the Evange l is ts ,who l l ywho l l ygra tu i tous ass imi la t ions o f one Gospe l to another ,gra tu i tous ass imi la t ions o f one Gospe l to another ,t het heunprovoked omiss ion o f passages o f p ro found in terestunprovoked omission of passages of profound in terestand notand not unf requent lyunf requent ly o f h igh doct r ina l impor to f h igh doct r ina l im por t :--:--


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on In t ent ional Corrupt ions(5 )(5 ) D is tu rb ing In f luences Cont inued Af te r Apos to l i cD is tu rb ing In f luences Cont inued Af te r Apos to l i cT imesT imes

(a)(a ) Sys t em at i c Mut i l a t ion Is Observed in B ,Sys t emat ic Mut i l a t ion Is Observed in B , AA , and D, and D

How a re such phenomena as these to be accoun ted fo rHow a re such phenomena as these to be accoun ted fo r??Aga in , i n one quar te r , we l i gh t upon a sys temat i cAga in , i n one quar te r , we l i gh t upon a sys temat i cmut i l a t i on of t he tex t so ex t rao rdina ry t ha t i t i s as i f somemut i l a t i on of t he tex t so ex t rao rdina ry t ha t i t i s as if someone had amused h im se l f by runn ing his pen th rough everyone had amused h im se l f by runn ing h is pen th rough everyc l ause wh i ch was no t abso l u t e l y necessa ry t o t hec l ause wh i ch was no t abso l u t e l y necessa ry t o t hein te l l i g i bl eness o f w ha t rema ined. I n ano the r quar te r w ein te l l i g ib l eness o f w ha t rema ined. I n ano the r quar te r w eencounter the th rus t ing in o f fabu lous s to r ies andencounter the th rus t ing in o f fabu lous s to r ies andapocrypha l say ings wh ich d i s f i gu re as we l l as encumberapocrypha l say ings wh ich d i s f i gu re as we l l as encumberthe tex t . - -How w i l l any one exp la in a l l t h i s?the tex t . - -How w i l l any one exp la in a l l t h i s? [Dean[DeanBurgon,Burgon, The Causes o f the Cor rup t ion o f the Trad i t iona l The Causes o f the Cor rup t ion o f the Trad i t iona l T e x t T e x t , p. 194 ], p. 194 ]


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on In t ent ional Corrupt ions(5 )(5) Disturb ing In f luences Cont inued Af ter Aposto l icDisturb ing In f luences Cont inued Af ter Aposto l icT imesT imes

(b)(b) Depravat ions Appear in Very Few of the AncientDepravat ions Appear in Very Few of the Ancient

SourcesSourcesI f the m ost pr im i t ive w i t nesses to our hand are indeedI f the m ost pr im i t ive w i tnesses to our hand are indeedd iscovered to bear fa lse w i tness to the tex t o fd iscovered to bear fa lse w i tness to the tex t o fScr ip ture ,Scr ip ture ,whi ther a re we to be take ourse lves fo r thewh i ther a re we to be take ourse lves fo r theTru thTru th ? And w hat secur i t y c an w e hope ever t o en joy? And w hat secur i t y c an w e hope ever t o en joy

that any g iven exh ib i t ion o f the text o f Scr ip ture is thethat any g iven exh ib i t ion o f the text o f Scr ip ture is thet rue one? Are w e t hen t o be to ld tha t in th is sub jec t -t rue one? Are w e t hen t o be to ld tha t in t h is subjec t -ma t te r t he max immat t e r t he max im idid ver ius quod pr iusver ius quod pr ius does not ho ld?does not ho ld?tha t the s t ream ins tead o f ge t t ing pure r as wetha t the s t ream ins tead o f ge t t ing pure r as weapproach the founta in head, on the cont rary growsapproach the founta in head, on the cont rary growsm ore and more cor rupt?m ore and more cor rupt?


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on In t ent ional Corrupt ions(6)(6) Names o f Som e of the Heret ic sNames o f Som e of t he Heret ic s

Who Corrupted t he Tex tWho Corrupted t he Tex t

(a)(a) Basi l idesBasi l ides,, Ebioni t esEbioni tes,, Valent in iansValent in ians,,

Marc ionMarcion , and, and Tat ianTat ianI say then tha tI say then tha t i t i s an adequate , as we l l as a s ingu lar lyi t i s an adequate , as we l l as a s ingu lar lysa t is fac tory exp lanat ion o f the greater par t o f those grosssat is fac tory exp lanat ion o f the greater par t o f those grossdepravat ions o f Scr ip ture wh ich admi t o f no leg i t imatedepravat ions o f Scr ip ture wh ich admi t o f no leg i t imateexcuse , to a t t r i bu te them, however remote ly , to thoseexcuse , to a t t r i bu te them, however remote ly , to thosel i cent ious f ree-hand lers o f the tex t who are dec lared byl i cent ious f ree-hand lers o f the tex t who are dec lared by

the i r contemporar ies to have fa ls i f ied , mut i la ted ,the i r contemporar ies to have fa ls i f ied , mut i la ted ,in terpo la ted, and in whatever o ther way to have cor ruptedin terpo la ted, and in whatever o ther way to have cor ruptedthe Gospelthe Gospe l ; whose b lasphemous product ions o f necess i ty; whose b lasphemous product ions o f necess i tymust once have obta ined a very w ide c i rcu la t ion : andmust once have obta ined a very w ide c i rcu la t ion : andindeed wi l l never want some to recommend and upho ldindeed wi l l never want some to recommend and upho ldthem.them.


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on In t ent ional Corrupt ions(6)(6) Names of Some of t he Heret ic sNames of Some of t he Heret ics

Who Corrupt ed the Tex tWho Corrupt ed the Tex t

(a )(a) Bas i l idesBasi l ides,, Ebioni t esEbioni tes,, Valent in iansValent in ians,,

MarcionMarcion, and, and Tat ianTat ianWhat w i th those w hoWhat w i th those w ho l i kel ike Basi l idesBasi l ides and h is fo l low ers invent edand h is fo l lowers inventeda Gospel o f the i r own:- -what wi th those who wi th thea Gospel o f the i r own:- -what wi th those who wi th theEbioni tesEbion i tes and theand the Va lent in iansValent in ians in terpo la ted and o therwisein terpo la ted and o therwiseperver ted one of the four Gospels unt i l i t su i ted thei r ownperver ted one of the four Gospels unt i l i t su i ted thei r ownpurposes:- -what wi th those who l ikepurposes:- -what wi th those who l ike Marc ionMarc ion shamefu l lyshamefu l ly

maimed and mut i la ted the insp i red textmaimed and mut i la ted the inspi red text : - - there must have:-- there must havebeen a large mass of corrupt ion fester ing in the Churchbeen a large mass of corrupt ion fester ing in the Churcht hroughout t he imm ediate post -Aposto l ic age. But even t h is isthroughout t he imm ediate post -Apost o l ic age. But even th is isnot a l l . There w ere t hose w honot a l l . There w ere those w ho l ikel i ke Ta t ianTat ian cons t ruc tedconst ruc tedDiatessaronsDiatessarons, or at tempts to weave the four fo ld narrat ive in to, or a t t empts to w eave the four fo ld nar ra t ive in toone,--one,--Lives of CHRISTLives of CHRIST,, so to speak;so to speak; [Dean Burgon,[Dean Burgon, TheTheCauses o f t he Cor rup t i on o f t he T rad i t i ona l Tex t Causes o f t he Cor rup t i on o f t he T rad i t i ona l Tex t , pp. 195 -19 6], pp. 195 -196]


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on In t ent ional Corrupt ions(6 )(6 ) Names o f Som e o f the Here t i c sNames o f Some o f t he He ret i c s

Who Cor rup ted t he Tex tWho Cor rup ted t he Tex t

(b )(b ) Here t i c a l Den ial o f B ib l i ca l Chr is to logyHere t i c a l Den ia l o f B ib l i ca l Chr is to logy

Numerous as w e re the he res ies o f t he f i r s t t w o o r t h ree cen tu r i esNumerous as w e re the he res ies of t he f i r s t t w o o r t h ree cen tu r i eso f the Chr is t ian e ra , they a lmos t a l l ag reed in th is :o f the Chr is t ian e ra , they a lmos t a l l ag reed in th is :

t h a t t h e yt h a t t h e y

invo lved a den ia l o f t he e t erna l Godhead o f the SON of Man; den iedinvo lved a den ia l o f t he e t e rna l Godhead o f t he SON o f Man; den iedtha t He i s essen t ia l l y ve ry and e te rna l GODt ha t He i s essen t ia l l y very and e te rna l GOD. Th is fundament a l. Th is fundament a lhe resy found i t se l f hap less ly con fu ted by the who le tenor o f theheresy found i t se l f hap less ly con fu ted by the who le tenor o f theGospe l , w h ich never t he less i t assa i led w i t h res t less ingenu i ty : andGospe l , w h ich never the less i t assa i led w i th res t less ingenu i ty : andmany a re the t r aces a l ike o f i t s impo tenc e and o f i t s ma l i ce w h i chmany a re the t r aces a l ike o f i t s impo tenc e and o f i t s ma l i ce w h i ch

have su rvi ved to ou r ow n t im es . I t i s a mem orable c i r c ums t ancehave su rvi ved to ou r ow n t im es . I t i s a mem orable c i r c ums t ancet h a ttha t i t i s p rec i se l y t hose ve ry t ex t s wh i ch re la te e i t he r t o t hei t i s p rec i se l y t hose ve ry t ex t s wh i ch re la te e i t he r t o t hee te rna l genera t ion o f the SON,e te rna l genera t ion o f the SON,t o H i s I nca rna t i on ,to H i s I nca rna t i on ,o r t o t h eo r t o t h ec i r c ums t ances o f H i s Na t i v i t y ,c i r c ums t ances of H i s Na t i v i t y ,w hich have su ffe red mos t severe ly ,w h ich have suf fe red mos t severe ly ,and re ta in to th is hour t races o f hav ing been in va r ious waysand re ta in to th is hour t races o f hav ing been in va r ious wayst a m p e r e d w i t ht a m p e r e d w i t h .. [Dean Burgon,[Dean Burgon, The Causes o f the Cor rupt ion o f The Causes o f the Cor rupt ion o f t he T rad i t i ona l Tex t t he T rad i t i ona l Tex t , p. 196-197 ], p. 196-197 ]


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on In t ent ional Corrupt ions(6 )(6 ) Names o f Som e o f the Here t i c sNames o f Some o f t he He ret i c s

Who Cor rup ted t he Tex tWho Cor rup ted t he Tex t

(c )(c ) Here t i c s Cons t ruc t ed Man-Made Gospe lsHere t i c s Cons t ruc t ed Man-Made Gospe ls

The men who f i r s t sys tema t i ca l l y dep raved the tex t o f Sc r i p tu re ,The men who f i r s t sys tema t i ca l l y dep raved the tex t o f Sc r i p tu re ,we r e a s we n o w mu s t k n o w t h e h e r e s i a r c h swe r e a s we n o w mu s t k n o w t h e h e r e s i a r c h s Ba s i l i d e sBasi l ides ( f l . 134) ,(f l . 134),Va len t inusValent inus ( f l . 140) , and( f l . 140) , and Marc ionMarc ion ( f l . 150) : th ree names wh ich( f l . 150) : th ree names wh ichOr igenOr igen i s observed a lmos t invar iab ly to enumera te toge ther .i s observed a lmos t invar iab ly to enumera te toge ther .Bas i l i desBas i l i des andand Va lent i nusVa len t inus a re even sa id to have wr i t ten Gospe ls o fa re even sa id to have wr i t ten Gospe ls o ft h e i r o wnthe i r own. . . . the genera l fac t i s es tab l i shed by the no t i ces , and. . . . the genera l fac t i s es tab l i shed by the no t i ces , andthose a re exceed ing l y abundan t , wh i ch the wr i t e r s aga ins tthose a re exceed ing l y abundan t , wh i ch the wr i t e r s aga ins t

Heres ies have c i t ed and le f t on rec ord . A l l tha t i s in tended by suchHeres ies have c i ted and le f t on record . A l l tha t i s in tended by suchs ta tem en ts i s t ha ts ta t ement s i s tha t t hese old heret i c s re ta ined , a l te red , t ransposed ,t hese o ld here t i c s re ta ined , a lt e red , t ransposed ,jus t so m uc h as t hey p leased o f t he four fo ld Gospe l : and fur t her ,j us t so m uc h as t hey p leased o f t he four fo ld Gospe l : and fur t he r ,t ha t t hey impo r ted wha teve r add i t i ona l ma t te r t hey saw f i t : - - no ttha t t hey impo r ted wha teve r add i t i ona l ma t te r t hey saw f i t : - - no ttha t t hey re jec ted the i nsp i red tex t en t i r e l y , and subs t i t u tedtha t t hey re jec ted the i nsp i red tex t en t i r e l y , and subs t i t u tedsome th ing o f t he i r ow n i nven t i on i n i t s p l acesome th ing o f t he i r ow n i nven t i on i n i t s p l ace .. [Dean Burgon,[Dean Burgon, TheTheCauses o f t he Cor rup t i on o f t he T rad i t i ona l Tex t Causes o f t he Cor rup t i on o f t he T rad i t i ona l Tex t , pp. 195-196], pp. 195 -196]


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on In t ent ional Corrupt ions(6)(6) Names of Some of t he Heret ic sNames of Some of the Heret ic s

Who Corrupted t he Tex tWho Corrupt ed the Tex t

(d)(d) The Gospels List ed t hat WereThe Gospels L isted t hat WereCorrupted by the Heret ic sCorrupted by the Heret ic s

. . .. . . Basi l idesBasi l ides,--w ho, as w el l in respec t of St Paul,--who, as wel l in respect of St Paul s Epist les ass Epist les asof the four Gospels, was evident ly a gr ievous of fenderof the four Gospels, was evidently a gr ievous offender,--yet,,--yet,s ince i t i s c lear that h is pr inc ipa l fo l lowers, who were a lso h iss ince i t i s c lear that h is pr inc ipa l fo l lowers, who were a lso h iscontemporar ies, put fo r th a composi t ion which they werecontemporar ies, put fo r th a composi t ion which they werep lease to s ty le thep lease to s ty le the Gospel of Truth,Gospel of Truth, i t i s id le to d ispute as toi t i s id le to d ispute as tot he l imi t o f t he rashness and impie t y o f t he ind iv idua l author o ft he l imi t o f t he rashness and impie t y o f t he ind iv idua l author o f

t he heresy. Let i t be fur ther st a ted, as no s l igh t c onf i rmat ion oft he heresy. Let i t be fur ther st a ted, as no s l igh t c onf i rmat ion o fthe v iew al ready hazarded as to the probable contents ofthe v iew a l ready hazarded as to the probab le contents o f thet he(so-cal led) Gospels of(so-cal led) Gospels of Basi l idesBasi l ides and ofand of Valent inusValent inus, that one, that onepart icu lar Gospel is re lated to have been preferred before thepart icu lar Gospel is re lated to have been preferred before therest and specia l ly adopted by cer ta in schools of ancientrest and specia l ly adopted by cer ta in schools of ancientHere t i cs .Here t i cs .


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on In t ent ional Corrupt ions(6)(6) Names of Some of t he Heret ic sNames of Some of the Heret ic s

Who Corrupted t he Tex tWho Corrupt ed the Tex t

(d)(d) The Gospels List ed t hat WereThe Gospels L isted t hat WereCorrupted by the Heret ic sCorrupted by the Heret ic s

Thus, a s t rangely mut i la ted and depraved text o f St . Mat t hewThus, a s t range ly mut i la ted and depraved t ext o f St . Mat t hew ssGospel is re lated to have found specia lGospel is re lated to have found specia l favourfavour w i th thew i th t h eEbioni tesEbion i tes, w i th whom the Cor in th ians are assoc ia ted by, w i th whom the Cor in th ians are assoc ia ted byEpiphaniusEpiphanius: t hough: t hough IrenaeusIrenaeus seems to say t hat i t w as St . Markseems to say that i t w as St . Mark ssGospel wh ich was adopted by the here t ica l fo l lowers o fGospel wh ich was adopted by the here t ica l fo l lowers o fCer inthusCer inthus.. MarcionMarcion ss de l ibera te cho ice o f St . Lukede l ibera te cho ice o f St . Luke s Gospel iss Gospel is

suf f ic ient ly w e l l know n. Thesuf f ic ient ly w e l l know n. The Va lent in iansValent in ians appropr iated toappropr ia ted tothemselves St . John.t hemselves St . J ohn. HeracleonHeracleon, the most d ist inguished, the most d is t ingu isheddiscip le of th is school , is del iberate ly censured bydiscip le of th is school , is del iberate ly censured by Or igenOrigen forforhav ing cor rupted the text o f the four th Evangel is t in manyhaving cor rupted the text o f the four th Evangel is t in manyplacesp laces .. [Dean Burgon,[Dean Burgon, The Causes of the Corrupt ion of theThe Causes of the Corrupt ion of theTradi t iona l Tex t Tradi t iona l Tex t , p. 198-199 ], p. 198-199 ]


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on In t ent ional Corrupt ions(6)(6) Nam es of Som e of the Heret ic sNames of Some of t he Heret ics

Who Corrupted t he Tex tWho Corrupted t he Tex t

(e)(e) Marci onMarc ion Was a Leading Heret icWas a Leading Heret icWho Cor rupt ed Scr ip t ureWho Corrupt ed Sc r ipt ure

Concern ingConcern ing Marc ionMarc ion , who is a fa r more consp icuous, who is a fa r more consp icuouspersonage, i t w i l l be necessary to speak more par t i cu la r ly .personage, i t w i l l be necessary to speak more par t i cu la r ly .He has le f t a mark on the tex t o f Scr ip tu re o f wh ich t racesHe has le f t a mark on the tex t o f Scr ip tu re o f wh ich t racesare d is t inc t l y recogn izab le a t the present dayare d is t inc t l y recogn izab le a t t he present day. A great dea l. A great deal

more is known about h im than about any o ther ind iv idua l o fmore is known about h im than about any o ther ind iv idua l o fh is school .h is schoo l . Jus t in Mar ty r andJust in Mar ty r and I renaeusI renaeus wro te aga ins t h im:wro te aga ins t h im:besidesbesides OrigenOr igen and Clement of Alexandr ia ,and C lement o f A lexandr ia , Ter tu l l ianTer tu l l ian in thein theWest, andWest, and EpiphaniusEpiphanius in the East e laborate ly re futed h isin the East e labora te ly re fu ted h isteach ing, and g ive us la rge in format ion as to h is method o fteach ing, and g ive us la rge in format ion as to h is method o fhandl ing Sc r ip t urehand ling Scr ip t ure ..


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on In t ent ional Corrupt ions(6)(6) Names o f Some o f t he Here t ic sNames o f Some o f t he Here t ic s

Who Corrupted t he TextWho Corrupted t he Tex t

(e)(e) Marc ionMarc ion Was a Leading Heret icWas a Leading Heret ic

Who Corrupt ed Scr ip t ureWho Corrupt ed Sc r ip t ure. . .. . . I t i s to be remembered tha tI t i s to be remembered tha t Marc ionMarc ionss Gospe l wasGospe l wasknown to be an here t ica l p roduct ion : one o f the manyknown to be an here t i ca l p roduc t ion : one o f the manycreat ions of the Gnost ic age,- - i t must have been universa l lycreat ions of the Gnost ic age,- - i t must have been universa l lyexec ra ted and abhor red by fa i th fu l m en. Bes ides t h isexec ra ted and abhor red by fa i th fu l m en. Bes ides t h islacera ted tex t o f S t . Lukelacera ted tex t o f S t . Luke s Gospel , there was ans Gospel , there was an Ebioni teEbioni te

recens ion o f St . Mat t hew : Arecens ion o f St . Mat t hew : A Cer in th ianCer in th ian ex h ib i t ion o f St . Mark :exh ib i t ion o f St . Mark :aa Va lent in ianValent in ian pervers ion of St . J ohn. And w e are butpervers ion of St . J ohn. And w e are butins is t i ng tha t t he e ffec t o f so many co r rupt ions o f the Tru th ,insi s t i ng tha t the e f fec t o f so many co r rup t ions o f the Truth ,indust r ious ly propagated w i th in fa r less than 100 years o findust r ious ly propagated w i th in fa r less than 100 years o fthe date o f the insp i red ver i t ies themselves, must needsthe date o f the insp i red ver i t ies themselves, must needshave made i t se l f sens ib ly fe l thave made i t se l f sensib ly fe l t ..


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on In t ent ional Corrupt ions(7 )(7 ) Mut i l a t ions by Codex es B and DMut i la t ions by Codex es B and D

The proneness o f these ear l y Here t i c s severa l l y t o adoptThe proneness o f t hese ear l y Here t i c s severa l l y t o adoptone o f the four Gospe ls fo r t he i r ow n, ex p la ins w hyone o f t he four Gospe ls fo r the i r ow n, ex p la ins w hy therethe re

i s no cons i s tency observab le i n t he co r rup t i ons theyi s no cons i s tency observab le i n t he co r rup t i ons theyi n t roduced i n t o t he t ex ti n t roduced in to t he tex t . I t a l so exp la ins the b r i ng ing i n to. I t a l so ex p la ins t he br ing ing in toone Gospe l o f t h i ngs wh ich o f r i gh t c l ea r l y be long toone Gospe l o f t h i ngs wh ich o f r i gh t c l ea r l y be long toano the rano the r . . . but. . . bu t i n no o the r w ay i s i t poss ib le t o ac c oun ti n no o the r w ay i s i t poss ib le t o acc oun tfo r such sys temat i c mu t i l a t i ons as a re found i n Cod .fo r such sys temat i c mu t i l a t i ons as a re found i n Cod .B ,B,suc h m onst rous add i t i ons as are found in Cod. D,suc h m onst rous add i t i ons as are found in Cod. D,suchsuch

gross pe r tu rba t i ons as are con t i nual l y me t w i th i n one org ross pe r tu rba t i ons as a re con t i nua ll y me t w i th i n one ormore , bu t never in a l l , o f the ear l i es t Codexes ex tan t , asmore , bu t never in a l l , o f the ear l i es t Codexes ex tan t , aswe l l as in the o ldes t Vers ions and Fatherswe l l as in the o ldes t Vers ions and Fathers .. [Dean[DeanBurgon,Burgon, The Causes o f the Cor rup t ion o f the Trad i t iona l The Causes o f the Cor rup t ion o f the Trad i t iona l T e x t T e x t , p.201 ], p.201]


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on In t ent ional Corrupt ions(8)(8) Som e of t he Doc t r ines of t heSom e of the Doc t r ines o f t he

Gnost ic Here t ic sGnost ic Here t ic s

(a)(a) Chr ist as Only Begot t enChr is t as Only Begot t en GodGod Ins t ead ofInst ead o fSonSon

These professors ofThese professors of Gnost ic ismGnost ic ism held noheld noc onsis ten t t heory. The t w o lead ingc ons ist en t t heory . The t w o lead ing

prob lems on wh ich they exerc ised the i rp rob lems on wh ich they exerc ised the i rperverse ingenui ty are found to have beenperverse ingenu i ty are found to have been(1) the or ig in of Matter, and (2) the or ig in of(1) the or ig in of Matter, and (2) the or ig in ofEvi l .Evi l .


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on In t ent ional Corrupt ions(1 )(1 ) t hey taugh t t ha t t he w o r l dt h e y t a u gh t t h a t t h e w o r ld s a r t i f i c e r (s a r t i f i c e r (t he Wordthe Word ) was H imse l f) was H imse l fa c rea tu re o fa c rea tu re o f the Fa therthe Fa the r .. Encoun te red on the th resho ld o f theEncoun te red on the th resho ld o f theGospe l by the p la in dec la ra t ion tha t ,Gospe l by the p la in dec la ra t ion tha t , I n t he beg inn ing was theIn t he beg inn ing was theWORD: and the WORD was wi th GOD: and the WORD was GODWORD: and the WORD was wi th GOD: and the WORD was GOD andand

presen t l y ,p resen t l y ,Al l t h i ngs we re made by H imAl l t h i ngs we re made by H im

; - - they were much; - - they were much

exe rc i sed . The exped ients t o w h i ch they had recou rse w e reexe rc i sed . The exped ien ts t o w h i ch they had recou rse w e rece r t a in ly ex t rao rd inary .c e r ta in ly ex t rao rd ina ry . Tha tThat Beg inn ingBeg inn ing (said(sa id Va len t inusVa lent i nus ) w as the) w as thef i r s t t h i n g wh i c hf i r s t t h i n g wh i c h the FATHERthe FATHER c r e a t e d : wh i c h He c a l l e dc rea ted : wh i ch He ca l l ed OnlyOnlybego t ten SON,bego t ten SON, and a lsoand a lso GODGOD: and i n whom he imp lan ted the: and i n whom he imp lan ted thegerm o f a l l th ingsgerm o f a l l t h ings . Semina l l y , tha t i s , w ha tsoever subsequen t l y. Semina l l y , t ha t i s , w ha tsoever subsequen t l ycam e i n to being w as i n H im.cam e i n to be ing w as i n H im. The WordThe Word (he sa id ) w as a p roduc t o f(he sa id ) w as a p roduc t o f

t h is f i r s t -c rea t ed th ing . , , , From w h ich i t i s p la in tha t ,t h i s f i r s t -c rea ted t h ing . , , , F rom w h ich i t i s p la in t ha t , ac c ord ing toacc o rd ing toVa len t inusVa len t i nus ,, the WORDthe WORD w a s d is t i n c t f r o mw a s d is t i n c t f r o m the SON,the SON, w h o w a s n otw h o w a s n otthe wo r l dthe wo r l d s Crea to r . Bo th a l ike , how eve r , he ack now ledged to bes Crea to r . Bo th a l i ke , how eve r, he ack now ledged to beGODGOD: bu t on ly , as we have seen a l ready , us ing the te rm in an: bu t on ly , as we have seen a l ready , us ing the te rm in anin fer io r sensein fe r io r sense .. [Dean Burgon,[Dean Burgon, TheThe Causes of the Corruption ofCauses of the Corruption oft he Trad i t iona l Text t he Trad i t iona l Text , pp. 202-203 ], pp. 202 -203 ]


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on In t ent ional Corrupt ions(b )(b) Ear ly Heret ic sEar ly Heret ic s View s Abou t Mar r i ageV iew s Abou t Mar r i age

The ques t i on o f Ma t r imony was one o f t hose on wh ichThe ques t i on o f Ma t r imony was one o f t hose on wh ichthe ea r l y he re t i cs f ree l ythe ea r l y he re t i cs f ree l y dogmat i zeddogmat i zed .. Saturn inusSaturninus (A.D.(A.D.

120) and h i s f o l l owers taugh t t ha t mar r i age was a120) and h i s f o l l owers taugh t t ha t mar r i age was ap roduc t i on o f He l lp roduc t i on o f He l l ..

We are no t surpr i sed a f te r th i s to f i nd tha tWe a re no t su rp r i sed a fte r t h i s t o f i nd tha t t hose p lac esthose p lacesin t he Gospe l wh i ch bear on the re la t i on be tween manin the Gospe l wh i ch bear on the re la t i on be tween manand w i fe exh ib i t t races o f pe r tu rba t i onand w i fe exh ib i t t rac es o f pe r tu rba t i on . I am no t. I am notasser t i ng tha t t he he re t i c s t hemse lves depraved the tex t .asse rt i ng tha t t he here t i c s t hemse lves depraved the tex t .

I do bu t s ta t e t w o p la in f ac t s : v i z. (1 ) Tha t w hereasI do bu t s t a te t w o p la in f ac t s : v i z. (1 ) Tha t w hereas i n t hein thesecond cen t u ry ce r ta in here t i c a l t ene ts on the sub jec t o fsecond cen t u ry c e r ta in here t i c a l t ene ts on the sub jec t o fMar r iage preva i led la rge lyMar r i age p reva i l ed l a rge l y , and those who advoca ted as, and those who advoca ted aswe l l as those who opposed such teach ing re l i ed ch ie f l ywe l l as t hose who opposed such teach ing re l i ed ch ie f l yon t he Gospe l fo r the i r p roo fs :on t he Gospe l fo r t he i r p roo fs :


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on In t ent ional Corrupt ions(b)(b) Ear ly Heret ic sEar ly Here t ic s View s Abou t Mar r iageV iew s Abou t Mar r iage

(2) I t i s accord ing ly found that not on ly does(2) I t is accord ing ly found that not on ly does

t he phenomenon oft he phenom enon ofvar ious readingsvar ious readings

preva i l inpreva i l inthose p laces o f the Gospel which bear mostthose p laces o f the Gospel which bear most

near ly on the d isput ed po in ts , butnear ly on the d isputed po in t s , but t het he readingsreadings are exac t l y of t ha t suspic ious k ind w h ich w ouldare exac t l y of t ha t suspic ious k ind w h ic h w ou ldnatura l l y resu l t f rom a tamper ing w i th the tex tna tura l l y resu l t f rom a tamper ing w i th the tex t

by men w ho had to m ainta in , o r else to com bat ,by men w ho had to m aint a in, o r else to com bat ,op in ions o f a cer t a in c lassopin ions o f a cer t a in c lass .. [Dean Burg on,[Dean Bur gon, TheTheCauses of the Corrupt ion of the Tradi t ional Causes of the Corrupt ion of the Tradi t ional Text Text , pp . 208-209], pp . 208-209]


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on In t ent ional Corrupt ions10.10. Cor rup t ion by t he Or t hodoxCorrupt ion by t he Or t hodox (pp. 211-231)(pp . 211-231)

In th is sect ion, Dean Burgon br ings up someIn th is sect ion, Dean Burgon br ings up some

impor tan t doc t r ines o f the Fa i th tha t here t icsimpor tan t doc t r ines o f the Fa i th tha t here t icsw ere a t t ack ing in the ear ly days of the c hurc h .w ere a t t ack ing in the early days of the c hurc h .

a. The Ort hodox Defense of J ohn 1:18a. The Ort hodox Defense of J ohn 1:18

St. John announces (ver 18) thatSt . John announces (ver 18) that the on lythe on lybegot ten Son, which is the bosom of the Father ,begot ten Son, which is the bosom of the Father ,

he hath dec lared h imhe hath dec lared h im : thus es tab l ish ing the: thus es tab l ish ing theident i ty of the Word and the Only begot ten Son.ident i ty o f the Word and the Only begot ten Son.What e lse c ou ld theWhat e lse c ou ld the Valent in iansVa len t in ians do w i th so p la indo w i th so p la ina s ta t ement , bu t seek t o deprave i ta s ta t ement , bu t seek t o deprave i t??


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a. The Or t hodox Defense o f John 1 :18a. The Or t hodox Defense o f John 1 :18

Ac c ord ing ly , t he very f i rs t t im e St . J ohn 1 :18 i s quoted byAc c ord ing ly , t he very f i rs t t ime St . John 1 :18 i s quoted byany o f t he anc ien ts ,any o f t he anc ien ts , i t i s accompan ied by the s ta tementi t i s accom pan i ed by t he s t a t em en tt h a t t h etha t t he Va len t i n i ansVa len t i n i ans i n o rde r t o p rove tha t t hein o rde r t o p rove tha t t he on lyonlybego t tenbego t ten i si s the Beg inn ing ,the Beg inn ing , and i sand i s GOD,GOD, appea l t o t heappea l t o t hew o r d s ,w o r d s ,t he on ly begot t en GOD w ho i s in t he bosom o f t het he on ly begot t en GOD w ho i s in t he bosom o f theFa the rFa the r ,, & c . I nasmuc h , sa id t hey , as the Fa the r w i l l ed to& c . I nasmuc h , sa id t hey , as the Fa the r w i l led to

b e c o m e k n o w n t o t h e w o r l d s ,become known to t he wor lds , t he Sp i r i t o f Gnos i sthe Sp i r i t o f Gnos isp roduced theproduced the on ly bego t t enon l y bego t t en Gnosis ,Gnosis , and there fore gaveand there fore gaveb i rt h t ob i rt h t o Gnosis ,Gnosis , t ha t i s t ot ha t i s t o t he Sont he Son: i n o rder tha t by: i n o rder tha t by t het heSonSon the Fatherthe Father m i g ht b e m a de k n o w nm i g ht b e m a de k n o w n .. [Dean Burgon,[Dean Burgon,The Causes o f the Cor rup t ion o f the Trad i t iona l Tex t The Causes o f the Cor rup t ion o f the Trad i t iona l Tex t , p ., p .215 ]215]


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b.b. The Ar ian Cont roversyThe Ar ian Cont roversy

I t i s c u r ious t ha t w i th t h is his to ry adm i re rs o f BI t i s c u r ious t ha t w i th t h is his to ry adm i rers o f Bandand AA shou ld ex to l the i r read ing over theshou ld ex to l the i r read ing over theTrad i t iona l read ing on th

causes of corruption of traditional text

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